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Duellists, The [DVD] [1977] starring: Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Cristina Raines

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Rating: - Amazing, just amazing

I first saw this film in the early hours on terrestial television a few years ago. There are few films that have left an impression on me like this one did. Its an intriguing story, very well-acted, amazing costumes and first-class fight scenes. Harvey Keitel is a very underrated actor and this film shows him at his best. Watch and enjoy.

Rating: - Ridley Scott's Neglected Masterpiece

With a cast which reads like a "Who's Who?" of British theatre this film should be good. It isn't, it's fantastic.
After umpteen viewings of this beautifully photographed work I still devour each scene. Although the costumes and accompanying paraphenalia give an air of the finest BBC costume drama, the atmosphere created is one of frill-free realism.
The two main protagonists, both men of honour and professional soldiers, are studies of reason and unjustified hatred. They are brought together by pure chance yet their destinies seem to be interlinked over a period exceeding two decades. Throughout the entire film, I desperately wanted to shake Keitel's character and make him realise how wrong he is to pursue Carradine so relentlessly. They should really be able to have a beer and forget their differences, but then again, I suppose that would have made a pretty poor film.
The action scenes are graphic without being gory, each duel a miniature peak in an enthralling landscape of characters.
I won't spoil the story by giving away the ending, but I don't think that I've ever seen a better denouement in a British film. Let's just say that by the time the titles come up, both characters have had an experience of justice and that any spectator must sympathise and empathise with both men. Given the extremely diverse nature of their two characters, this is perhaps the main triumph of the film.
Watch it.

Review Pages: 1 2 3 4 5